“The parents of Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, have died within the space of 12 days,” writes Tim Smith in Wednesday’s (2/5) Baltimore Sun. “Both were musicians whose careers included longtime service in the New York City Ballet Orchestra. Ruth Alsop, a cellist in that ensemble for more than 50 years, died Jan. 23 in Melrose, Mass., at the age of 82. She recently donated several instruments to the BSO. Keith Lamar Alsop, who died Feb. 3 in Baltimore at the age of 85, was concertmaster of the ballet orchestra for more than three decades. He did extensive work as a studio musician, making recordings with a who’s-who of pop stars, including Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett and Diana Ross. Mr. Alsop also made his daughter’s batons by hand for many years. In addition to their daughter, survivors include Marin Alsop’s partner, Kristin Jurkscheit, and their son, Auden. A memorial concert in New York City is being planned for later this year.… Marin Alsop posted letters [on Wednesday] announcing her parents’ deaths on Norman Lebrecht’s blog, Slipped Disc.”
Posted February 6, 2014
